Arctomecon humilis

Arctomecon humilis is a rare species of poppy called bearclaw poppy or dwarf bearclaw-poppy.[1] It is endemic to Washington County, Utah, in the United States of America. It is a federally listed endangered species limited to barren, heavily gypsiferous soils in the immediate vicinity of St. George, Utah. Only a half-dozen populations are known, several of which are adjacent to or even within the urbanized area.

Arctomecon humilis

Critically Imperiled  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Papaveraceae
Genus: Arctomecon
Species:
A. humilis
Binomial name
Arctomecon humilis
Coville

Arctomecon humilis is a taprooted perennial herb producing stout, waxy stems that grow 15 to 25 centimeters tall. Waxy blue-green leaves with rounded teeth are located around the base of the plant. Each scape-like stem has one or two ivory-white flowers that have orange-yellow stamens. The ovoid shaped fruits produce up to 30 or sometimes more, shiny black seeds.

It is pollinated by the rare solitary bee species Perdita meconis.[2]

References
  1. Flora of North America
  2. Buchmann, Stephen L; Nabhan, Gary Paul; Wilson, Edward Osborne; Mirocha, Paul (1996). The forgotten pollinators. Washington: Covelo : Island Press. pp. 15–18. ISBN 1-55963-353-0.


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